Cartographic communication: Text variables on maps

Our focus in cartography is on communication, usually in a geo-related context. Text plays a major part in the effectiveness of this communication: adding names identifying features, and information on themes. Graphic templates are easy to design on simple backgrounds; but design becomes more diffic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inProceedings of the ICA Vol. 6; pp. 1 - 5
Main Author Aitken, Geoff
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published 18.12.2024
Online AccessGet full text
ISSN2570-2092
2570-2092
DOI10.5194/ica-proc-6-2-2024

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Summary:Our focus in cartography is on communication, usually in a geo-related context. Text plays a major part in the effectiveness of this communication: adding names identifying features, and information on themes. Graphic templates are easy to design on simple backgrounds; but design becomes more difficult on the visually complex backgrounds of mountain topography. A wealth of digital fonts is now available, many with more variables than are practical for mapping, and some with distracting characteristics. Jacques Bertin’s visual variables (2010) aid font selection by providing a framework for integrated design. It is hoped that this paper will stimulate critical appraisal of our work, personal experiment, and discussion to further improve cartographic communication.
ISSN:2570-2092
2570-2092
DOI:10.5194/ica-proc-6-2-2024